Wanja: Feels good to be a Malkia once again

Despite the return of three top women’s volleyball players Bracksides Agala, Janet Wanja and Esther Wangeci, the Kenya team will have to ensure they are at their best to guarantee a place in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Setter Janet Wanja was dropped from the team in December before the Africa zone 2016 Olympic qualifiers, which were held in Cameroon.

The trio return with former coach David Lungaho, who was then appointed the technical director of Kenya volleyball federation, also taking up the coaching role.

Kenya Pipeline veteran setter Wanja who has been a poster girl for the side for over a decaded habours no ill feelings against the decision of then coach Japheth Munala to drop him after his assessment that the team’s blocking is still poor saying that together with other weaker areas focus should be on improving them.

“One thing I know it won’t be easy for me to make the final 12 for the qualifiers, because the player who was called to take my place is still in the team and I know she is a good player so I know I have to work extra hard,” said Wanja.

“Grabbing the remaining slot in the intercontinental Olympic qualifier won’t be easy and that is not a secret. We are going to face Puerto Rico and Colombia which are teams from South America and are used to competitive matches, but as we did in the world grand prix group three, we are going to try our best,” added the long serving setter.

Blocker Agala, and Wangeci play for top French club Chamalieres while Wanja plays for Pipeline and were part of the Kenyan team that played in last year’s World Cup in Japan.

Malkia have been drawn in the same Pool with hosts Puerto Rico, Algeria and Colombia, in the intercontinental Rio qualifier, and later play hosts Argentina, Bulgaria and the Dominican Republic in a tough Grand Prix group 2 in Tucuman in June.

Others in the provisional Malkia strikers squad are Noel Murambi, Monica Biama,Trizah Atuka, Agrippina Kundu, Leonida Kssaya, Everlyn Makuto, Emmah Chemtai, Ann Lowem, Edith Wisah, Lydia Maiyo, Joy Luseneka, Violet Makuto, Janet Wanja, Esther Wagechi, Gaudencia Makokha ,Veronika Tanui, Mercy Moim, Joan Chelagat, Brackcides Agala, Jane Wacu, Ruth Chelagat, Nancy Mulonza, Elizabeth Wanyama, Poline Wafula, Christin Siwa

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Malkia Strikers Janet Wanja Bracksides Agala Kenya Volleyball team Olympics 2017

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